FOLLOWING A favorable series of events, the Ateneo Track and Field (ATF) Men’s Team concludes their most accomplished campaign in the post-pandemic era during this year’s University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Men’s Hammer Throw
The rookie representatives of the closing event, Doy Costelo and Mantosh Hansra, donned the Blue and White with much familiarity from being products of the Ateneo Senior High School.
Succeeding his bronze-worthy performance in the 2024 PATAFA Finals, Costelo put the cherry on top of ATF’s run with a 35.98-meter throw. This marked his name in the top eight, finishing sixth overall while contributing the last four points of Ateneo’s column.
Meanwhile, Hansra made a valiant effort to send the 6-kilogram hammer at a 21.55 distance, rendering him in 13th place to cap off the tournament.
The Men’s Team fielded a total of 52 points, crushing their 16.5-point run in Season 86 and finishing above De La Salle University in the overall tally.
Rookie of the Year
Throughout their campaign, the throwers of the team showed a remarkable display of athletic prowess, racking up majority of ATF’s scores and bringing their huge redemption. However, much courtesy is also due to the pivotal 800m track performance of Hassan Loraña, who was freshly designated as the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year.
Being the cream of the crop is not new to the lone distance runner of the Men’s Team, as Loraña secured tremendous numbers on the scoreboard as he bid his high school career farewell with an impressive double gold for the University of Baguio Cardinals.
“Masaya and proud [ako] at the same time kasi I’ve worked so hard talaga para pilitin na maka-gold at makuha ‘yung Rookie of the Year title,” he shared following his awarding.
(I’m happy and proud at the same time since I’ve worked so hard to force myself to get the gold and get the Rookie of the Year title.)
With his tenacity and endurance, the dominant freshman expressed his sentiments on achieving the ultimate feat of claiming the top prize in his first collegiate run despite facing the established veterans of UAAP Athletics.
“Lahat ng sacrifices at hard work nagbunga. Noong una, sobra yung pressure kasi first year ko pa lang [at] natapat na ako kaagad sa mga veterans at mga title holders ng recent UAAP games, and unexpectedly, natalo ko sila and nakuha ‘yung title.”
(All the sacrifices and hard work paid off. At first, the pressure was immense since I was already facing veterans and title holders of the recent UAAP games in my first year, and unexpectedly, I beat them and got the title.)
Meanwhile, as a member of the team through all their ups and downs over the past few years, Team Captain Joaquin Ipapo shared his final thoughts after playing his last year in the UAAP. Serving Loyola Heights for a multitude of seasons, the veteran imparted the legacy he wished to leave behind before signing off with the Blue Eagles.
“I just want my legacy to be that I gave my all, and once you are able to give your all, that’s when you have no regrets and you’re able to be better and be the best version of yourself,” he said.
The graduating veteran also hopes that the first year of the team’s rebuild will kick-off a momentous future for the program as a whole.
“So, I’m sure that’s what the future teams and generations will be able to do as this program expands and improves, and one day, Ateneo will soon be one the top and be champions,” Ipapo concluded.
From facing adversity in their previous campaigns, this triumphant stint for the Blue Eagles only marks the beginning of ATF’s uphill climb to what can become an ultimate rebirth of prestige.
Final Men’s Standings – Points (Gold-Silver-Bronze Medals):
- UP Fighting Maroons – 290 (4-7-5)
- FEU Tamaraws – 286 (5-3-6)
- UST Tiger Tracksters – 236 (6-5-4)
- UE Red Warriors – 167 (4-2-3)
- NU Bulldogs – 155.5 (2-3-2)
- AdU Soaring Falcons – 129 (0-3-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 52 (2-0-0)
- DLSU Green Tracksters – 39 (0-0-0)
Final Women’s Standings – Points (Gold-Silver-Bronze Medals):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws – 397.5 (5-8-8)
- UST Lady Tracksters – 291.5 (8-3-4)
- UP Fighting Maroons –195 (3-4-4)
- DLSU Lady Tracksters – 191 (4-4-3)
- NU Lady Bulldogs – 115 (1-3-2)
- UE Lady Warriors – 84.5 (1-1-0)
- AdU Lady Falcons – 73 (1-0-2)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 1 (0-0-0)
